What is Sponsorship?
Before a refugee can resettle in the United States, there must be a sponsor here who will assist the refugee in his new life in this country. A sponsor can be a local church, a civic organization, a relative or friend that works alongside Interfaith Refugee Ministry.
Local Church sponsorship provides many advantages over other forms of sponsorship. Refugees adjust more easily to their new community through the loving and supportive environment of a congregation and the personal care of many individuals. We ask sponsors to offer their prayers and friendship, and to help with the immediate needs of the family.
These needs include: housing and furnishings, clothing, food, medical exams, transportation, jobs and language training.
Most of all, we ask the sponsor to guide the refugee to self-sufficiency in four months. Sponsorship is a moral commitment, not a legal one. It is a unique partnership with Interfaith Refugee Ministry, where both parties ensure that the refugee is provided with the basics needed during initial resettlement.
Sponsorship is real "hands-on" mission that will bring joy and meaning to those in your church organization.
What Can YOU Do...
Interfaith Refugee Ministry needs volunteers and donations to continue the ministry of refugee resettlement. Your involvement can be tailored to your personal lifestyle. Choices for individual or group participation are:
Full Sponsorship: Provide food, housing, furnishings, clothing, medical, jobs, language training and transportation assistance for four months or until refugee is self-sufficient. Costs will vary, but $3,000 - $3,500 should do it.
Joint Sponsorship: Join with another church or group to provide resettlement services and financial assistance.
Mary & Joseph Packs: Collect a basic-needs pack for a family.
Cash Donations: A typical case has monthly expenses averaging $700. Checks should be made payable to Interfaith Refugee Ministry. Donations are tax deductible.
Other Donations: Cars, bikes, household items, vacuum cleaners, furniture and computers are all valuable donations, if in good working condition.
